The Independent: US low-cost carrier Virgin America has unveiled the new Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport, a 640,000 square foot (59,000 square meter) building which it says "reinvents the travel experience for the modern flyer."
San Francisco's Terminal 2, which will be shared by Virgin America and American Airlines, has been closed since 2000 for a $383 million (€268 million) project which has resulted in a building airport authorities believe is a "major departure from the typical airport terminal."
As the hub of California-based Virgin America, it's been designed around the same theme as the airline's cabin, all the way down to the lighting, with Virgin's signature "mood lighting" used in the check-in areas.
In an acknowledgement of the realities of modern air travel, the new terminal features a unique "recompose" area post-security, where passengers can relax in a "stress reducing oasis," presumably after being manhandled by security staff. Other features of the building include an on-site spa, drinking fountains to fill up empty water bottles once through security and an interactive children's play area.
Art installations by local and national artists are dotted all over the building and for those who need to get to work, there are laptop work tables, plug-in stations, elevated work counters and free wifi throughout the terminal.
Food-lovers are similarly well catered for, as the new terminal is the first in the country to use only Slow Food vendors with a focus on locally-produced menus, although that hasn't stopped celebrity chefs such as Cat Cora and Tyler Florence opening up among the 12 food outlets for travelers.
"This is the future of airports," said a spokesman for the US Environmental Protection Agency.
With airports in the US and Europe looking ever more drab compared to their shiny new Asian counterparts, the opening of San Francisco Terminal 2 could prove that the West still has some ideas to offer in the race to improve the passenger experience.
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